Zcotticus
@zcottic.us
TTRPGs, video games, movies, anime, music and more. I've done podcasting, streaming, community management, creative consulting and a bunch more.
Reposted by Zcotticus
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
Today is a special day for me. As of today I've spent half my life with my other half.
I checked what this date would be on our 17th anniversary back in August, remembered as soon as I woke up.
So grateful to have such an awesome partner in my corner. I'd say more, but then I won't stop!
I checked what this date would be on our 17th anniversary back in August, remembered as soon as I woke up.
So grateful to have such an awesome partner in my corner. I'd say more, but then I won't stop!
December 27, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Today is a special day for me. As of today I've spent half my life with my other half.
I checked what this date would be on our 17th anniversary back in August, remembered as soon as I woke up.
So grateful to have such an awesome partner in my corner. I'd say more, but then I won't stop!
I checked what this date would be on our 17th anniversary back in August, remembered as soon as I woke up.
So grateful to have such an awesome partner in my corner. I'd say more, but then I won't stop!
Minute Cryptic - 25 December, 2025
"Christmas now?" (7,3)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (37,048 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com/?utm_source=...
"Christmas now?" (7,3)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (37,048 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com/?utm_source=...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Minute Cryptic - 25 December, 2025
"Christmas now?" (7,3)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (37,048 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com/?utm_source=...
"Christmas now?" (7,3)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (37,048 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com/?utm_source=...
Minute Cryptic - 22 December, 2025
"Leads from our karaoke club amps interfere with Bose volume setting?" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (41,538 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Leads from our karaoke club amps interfere with Bose volume setting?" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (41,538 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Minute Cryptic - 22 December, 2025
"Leads from our karaoke club amps interfere with Bose volume setting?" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (41,538 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Leads from our karaoke club amps interfere with Bose volume setting?" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (41,538 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic - 21 December, 2025
""Too many!" you said, leaving a throuple arrangement" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (47,048 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
""Too many!" you said, leaving a throuple arrangement" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (47,048 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Minute Cryptic - 21 December, 2025
""Too many!" you said, leaving a throuple arrangement" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (47,048 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
""Too many!" you said, leaving a throuple arrangement" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (47,048 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Reposted by Zcotticus
Hey #D&D and #ttrpg fantasy nerd, check out one of my favorite podcasts, the etymology podcast Words Unravelled (with @jesszafarris.bsky.social and @robwords.bsky.social ) as they look at the origins of "dragon", "kraken" and other monsterous words
youtu.be/hcVF8b2w6n4?...
youtu.be/hcVF8b2w6n4?...
Cryptid and mythical beast names explained
YouTube video by Words Unravelled
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Hey #D&D and #ttrpg fantasy nerd, check out one of my favorite podcasts, the etymology podcast Words Unravelled (with @jesszafarris.bsky.social and @robwords.bsky.social ) as they look at the origins of "dragon", "kraken" and other monsterous words
youtu.be/hcVF8b2w6n4?...
youtu.be/hcVF8b2w6n4?...
Reposted by Zcotticus
The word "plagiarism" literally evokes the "kidnapping" of thoughts and ideas.
It's from the Latin plagiare "to kidnap" (or plagiarius "kidnapper"), from plaga "snare, hunting net."
It's from the Latin plagiare "to kidnap" (or plagiarius "kidnapper"), from plaga "snare, hunting net."
December 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The word "plagiarism" literally evokes the "kidnapping" of thoughts and ideas.
It's from the Latin plagiare "to kidnap" (or plagiarius "kidnapper"), from plaga "snare, hunting net."
It's from the Latin plagiare "to kidnap" (or plagiarius "kidnapper"), from plaga "snare, hunting net."
Minute Cryptic - 14 December, 2025
"Sweetheart leaving honey all over appendage? Sounds nice!" (7)
⚪️🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 1 hints – 2 under the community par (37,353 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Sweetheart leaving honey all over appendage? Sounds nice!" (7)
⚪️🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 1 hints – 2 under the community par (37,353 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Minute Cryptic - 14 December, 2025
"Sweetheart leaving honey all over appendage? Sounds nice!" (7)
⚪️🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 1 hints – 2 under the community par (37,353 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Sweetheart leaving honey all over appendage? Sounds nice!" (7)
⚪️🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 1 hints – 2 under the community par (37,353 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Anyone else assess people for whether or not you'd play D&D with them?
My doctor? Yup
Dentist? Nope (But they're lovely, it's not a moral judgement.)
Sometimes I'll be watching an interview, or behind the scenes with actors and they'll get assessed, too 😂
My doctor? Yup
Dentist? Nope (But they're lovely, it's not a moral judgement.)
Sometimes I'll be watching an interview, or behind the scenes with actors and they'll get assessed, too 😂
December 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Anyone else assess people for whether or not you'd play D&D with them?
My doctor? Yup
Dentist? Nope (But they're lovely, it's not a moral judgement.)
Sometimes I'll be watching an interview, or behind the scenes with actors and they'll get assessed, too 😂
My doctor? Yup
Dentist? Nope (But they're lovely, it's not a moral judgement.)
Sometimes I'll be watching an interview, or behind the scenes with actors and they'll get assessed, too 😂
Reposted by Zcotticus
Oh hey, I just noticed that Uncommon Goods is selling a box set of the Game Master's Books series. I contributed several scenarios and locations to the Legendary Locations edition.
Lovely books with great material inside for TTRPG GMs!
www.uncommongoods.com/product/the-...
Lovely books with great material inside for TTRPG GMs!
www.uncommongoods.com/product/the-...
December 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Oh hey, I just noticed that Uncommon Goods is selling a box set of the Game Master's Books series. I contributed several scenarios and locations to the Legendary Locations edition.
Lovely books with great material inside for TTRPG GMs!
www.uncommongoods.com/product/the-...
Lovely books with great material inside for TTRPG GMs!
www.uncommongoods.com/product/the-...
The past few days I've woken up and gone "Oh, I feel better today" only to be lamenting how ill I feel again a couple hours later once my energy runs out.
Y'think I'd learn!
(Saw the doc yesterday, getting it sorted.)
Y'think I'd learn!
(Saw the doc yesterday, getting it sorted.)
December 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The past few days I've woken up and gone "Oh, I feel better today" only to be lamenting how ill I feel again a couple hours later once my energy runs out.
Y'think I'd learn!
(Saw the doc yesterday, getting it sorted.)
Y'think I'd learn!
(Saw the doc yesterday, getting it sorted.)
Reposted by Zcotticus
I wrote a holiday RPG adventure for 5E in partnership with Parallel Dimension Gaming!
Yuletown has been taken over by a sticky-sweet villain, Blyssaline Bubblesong. Players must find her lair and shatter her candy-coated curse.
Back it on Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/pdg...
Yuletown has been taken over by a sticky-sweet villain, Blyssaline Bubblesong. Players must find her lair and shatter her candy-coated curse.
Back it on Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/pdg...
December 10, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I wrote a holiday RPG adventure for 5E in partnership with Parallel Dimension Gaming!
Yuletown has been taken over by a sticky-sweet villain, Blyssaline Bubblesong. Players must find her lair and shatter her candy-coated curse.
Back it on Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/pdg...
Yuletown has been taken over by a sticky-sweet villain, Blyssaline Bubblesong. Players must find her lair and shatter her candy-coated curse.
Back it on Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/pdg...
Reposted by Zcotticus
To say someone is delirious or in a state of delirium is the Latinate equivalent of saying they are "off the rails."
The Latin noun lira means “furrow,” so the verb deliriare is literally "to go off the furrow."
The Latin noun lira means “furrow,” so the verb deliriare is literally "to go off the furrow."
December 9, 2025 at 7:58 PM
To say someone is delirious or in a state of delirium is the Latinate equivalent of saying they are "off the rails."
The Latin noun lira means “furrow,” so the verb deliriare is literally "to go off the furrow."
The Latin noun lira means “furrow,” so the verb deliriare is literally "to go off the furrow."
Minute Cryptic - 9 December, 2025
"Maybe professional sweaters unravel the least?" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (55,065 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Maybe professional sweaters unravel the least?" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (55,065 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Minute Cryptic - 9 December, 2025
"Maybe professional sweaters unravel the least?" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (55,065 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
"Maybe professional sweaters unravel the least?" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (55,065 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Reposted by Zcotticus
Making traditional English Toffee from 1881 youtu.be/7Z8MvxYovpk?...
Making Real English Toffee from 1881
YouTube video by Tasting History with Max Miller
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Making traditional English Toffee from 1881 youtu.be/7Z8MvxYovpk?...
Reposted by Zcotticus
My book, Useless Etymology, is on the longlist for the Non-Obvious Book Awards!
Looking forward to seeing if it makes the shortlist on Dec. 15. 🤞
www.nonobviousbookawards.com/2025/
Looking forward to seeing if it makes the shortlist on Dec. 15. 🤞
www.nonobviousbookawards.com/2025/
December 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
My book, Useless Etymology, is on the longlist for the Non-Obvious Book Awards!
Looking forward to seeing if it makes the shortlist on Dec. 15. 🤞
www.nonobviousbookawards.com/2025/
Looking forward to seeing if it makes the shortlist on Dec. 15. 🤞
www.nonobviousbookawards.com/2025/
"Little earth man" is ny favourite
Some very literal German names for animals.
From my latest newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/robwords...
From my latest newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/robwords...
December 4, 2025 at 11:56 AM
"Little earth man" is ny favourite
Reposted by Zcotticus
I wrote a D&D 5e adventure! Parallel Dimension Gaming invited me to create an adventure set in Yuletown, a holiday village oppressed by the malevolent, sticky-sweet Blyssaline Bubblesong. (Think Evil Glinda.)
Digital and physical editions on Kickstarter:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pdg...
Digital and physical editions on Kickstarter:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pdg...
The Sweetest Curse: An Adventure for 5e
What happens when somebody too good takes over Yuletown? A Tier 2 holiday mystery adventure.
www.kickstarter.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I wrote a D&D 5e adventure! Parallel Dimension Gaming invited me to create an adventure set in Yuletown, a holiday village oppressed by the malevolent, sticky-sweet Blyssaline Bubblesong. (Think Evil Glinda.)
Digital and physical editions on Kickstarter:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pdg...
Digital and physical editions on Kickstarter:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pdg...
Wednesday is café and write day!
December 3, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Wednesday is café and write day!
Minute Cryptic - 2 December, 2025
"Sitting in class, I'm pleading for a piece of cake" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (48,190 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com
"Sitting in class, I'm pleading for a piece of cake" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (48,190 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Minute Cryptic - 2 December, 2025
"Sitting in class, I'm pleading for a piece of cake" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (48,190 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com
"Sitting in class, I'm pleading for a piece of cake" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (48,190 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com
I swear Mimi detects when I think "I'll get up and do something" and chooses that moment to surl up on me and snooze.
I know my duty, cute sleepy kittens must not be disturbed.
I know my duty, cute sleepy kittens must not be disturbed.
November 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I swear Mimi detects when I think "I'll get up and do something" and chooses that moment to surl up on me and snooze.
I know my duty, cute sleepy kittens must not be disturbed.
I know my duty, cute sleepy kittens must not be disturbed.
Reposted by Zcotticus
The word explode literally means “to clap outward” (ex “out, away from” + the Latin plaudere “to clap,” same root verb as “applaud”).
Its original meaning in English, c. 1500s, was to reject something. “Not that I wholly Explode Astrology; I believe there is something in it.” — Francis Bacon, 1696
Its original meaning in English, c. 1500s, was to reject something. “Not that I wholly Explode Astrology; I believe there is something in it.” — Francis Bacon, 1696
November 30, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The word explode literally means “to clap outward” (ex “out, away from” + the Latin plaudere “to clap,” same root verb as “applaud”).
Its original meaning in English, c. 1500s, was to reject something. “Not that I wholly Explode Astrology; I believe there is something in it.” — Francis Bacon, 1696
Its original meaning in English, c. 1500s, was to reject something. “Not that I wholly Explode Astrology; I believe there is something in it.” — Francis Bacon, 1696
Reposted by Zcotticus
It’s @itch.io creator day AND the start of the Black Friday Sale!
Grab CHVLR for just $5 until next Thursday!
susanahgrace.itch.io/chvlr
#ttrpg #solorpg #gundam
Grab CHVLR for just $5 until next Thursday!
susanahgrace.itch.io/chvlr
#ttrpg #solorpg #gundam
CHVLR: A Wretched & Alone Game by Susanah Grace
Just get in the robot.
susanahgrace.itch.io
November 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
It’s @itch.io creator day AND the start of the Black Friday Sale!
Grab CHVLR for just $5 until next Thursday!
susanahgrace.itch.io/chvlr
#ttrpg #solorpg #gundam
Grab CHVLR for just $5 until next Thursday!
susanahgrace.itch.io/chvlr
#ttrpg #solorpg #gundam
These two deciding to move in over the summer was such a blessing. My daily exposure to cuteness is so much higher. I frequently have to let out the excess by exclaiming "YOU'RE SO CUUUUUTE!" and showering Nunu (Pic 1) and Mimi (Pic 2) with affection. It's a tough life.
November 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM
These two deciding to move in over the summer was such a blessing. My daily exposure to cuteness is so much higher. I frequently have to let out the excess by exclaiming "YOU'RE SO CUUUUUTE!" and showering Nunu (Pic 1) and Mimi (Pic 2) with affection. It's a tough life.
Took me longer than it should have to get the final solve, identified every quickly though!
Minute Cryptic - 27 November, 2025
"Praise for animating Kate Winslet in "Flushed Away"" (5,4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (38,913 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com
Minute Cryptic - 27 November, 2025
"Praise for animating Kate Winslet in "Flushed Away"" (5,4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (38,913 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Took me longer than it should have to get the final solve, identified every quickly though!
Minute Cryptic - 27 November, 2025
"Praise for animating Kate Winslet in "Flushed Away"" (5,4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (38,913 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com
Minute Cryptic - 27 November, 2025
"Praise for animating Kate Winslet in "Flushed Away"" (5,4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (38,913 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com